Food and Nutrition Services
The results are in: Small changes are reaping big benefits in Mount Sinai’s Plaza Café.
At the beginning of 2010, food and nutrition staff placed reusable plastic trays at the front of the cafeteria food line and moved cardboard to-go trays to the back, discouraging their use as standard trays. Since then, Mount Sinai’s cafeteria has reduced the use of cardboard trays by over 90%. This reduces the amount of cardboard sent to the recycling department by 1.6 tons a month. In turn, this reduces the methane gas generated from landfills and the contamination of groundwater.
In a continuing effort to reduce waste and contribute to the greening of Mount Sinai, the Food Services Department has implemented the following programs:
We introduced Meatless Monday in the Plaza Café.
By reducing meat consumption, Meatless Monday not only promotes better health, but it also helps minimize water usage and reduce fuel dependence. Learn More
We serve organic and Fair Trade Certified coffee in the Plaza Café and at the Starbuck’s kiosk.
Mount Sinai only serves Seattle’s Best and Starbuck’s coffee. Both brands have been certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), and they have been Fair Trade Certified since 2000. Both brands are also C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) established, meaning that partner farmers employ procedures that are socially responsible, environmentally conscious, and sustainable.
We established a “Show Your Mug” program to reduce paper consumption.
Our Starbucks kiosk, located in the Plaza Café, has begun selling reusable mugs for both hot and cold beverages. Mugs are priced at $7.95, which includes the first cup of coffee. We offer a 15-cent discount on every refill.
We added a takeout center in the Plaza Café.
Now customers can transfer food from plastic reusable trays to cardboard boxes for takeout. This reduces wasted food in the cafeteria and makes Mount Sinai more sustainable.
We implemented composting programs in the cafeteria, the main kitchen, and at our Starbucks kiosk. Learn More